Ice, snow, and windy weather can all cause winter roof damage to your home in Roanoke, VA. Traditional shingle roofs are remarkably durable, but even they have a breaking point. Make sure your roof is prepared for the cold with a winter roof inspection!
Is Winter Roof Damage Common in Roanoke, VA?
Winter roof damage is quite common in Roanoke, VA. While our winters tend to swing wildly between snowstorms and 60-degree days, we certainly get enough harsh weather to be a problem. Ice, wind, and snow are all tough on trees and roofs. Broken limbs, ripped shingles, and damaged flashing and gutters are all frequent issues. Keep a weather eye on your roof and make sure it is still in one piece come spring!
Overweight: Why Snow is a Bigger Problem Than You Think It Is
Most folks think that snow is lightweight because it comes down in a pretty powder that seems to almost defy gravity. However, if you have ever tried shoveling it off the ground, you will know that it is actually quite heavy.
One cubic foot of fresh snow weighs around 4lbs, with settled snow weighing in at 12-18 lbs, and wet snow weighing 20-50lbs. On a small 2500 square foot roof, this means an additional 10,000-125,00lbs of weight. As you can imagine, this is an extremely heavy burden for your roof to bear and will do structural damage to your home if left to sit.
What is an Ice Dam and How Do You Prevent Them?
An ice dam is a result of snow melting and refreezing several times due to poor drainage. The ice can expand under your shingles, damaging your roof and attic. The best prevention for ice dams is keeping sticks and leaves off of your roof and cleaning them out of your gutters. Ice dams are a significant source of roof damage during the cold weather months in Southwest Virginia.
How to Spot Flashing Damage
Flashing exists primarily to divert water away from vulnerable areas of your roof like the edges, joints, and seams. When installed properly, it lies perfectly flat to whatever surface it is adhered to. If your flashing has become damaged, it will lift up at the edges, appear in uneven lines, or, in the worst cases, fall off entirely. Flashing will need to be replaced as soon as you notice any damage to prevent water from seeping into your home.
What Does a Winter Roof Inspection Include
A good roof inspection will include a close inspection of your shingles, flashing, and gutters. The inspector will remove debris off of your roof so that your shingles don’t become scratched and damaged. They will also notify you of any additional damage that they note that needs to be fixed. If they have the time available, they may be able to fix your roof the same day that they inspect it!
Get Your Roof Inspection Done Before Winter Hits
If you are worried about winter roof damage in your Roanoke, VA, home, then it is time to schedule a roof inspection. Reconco Roofing is a locally owned roofing business that has the skills to meet all your needs. Schedule your roofing inspection today and keep your roof safe all winter long!